The Gruffalo's Child [DVD]

Product Description

United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 5.1 ), English ( Dolby Surround ), WIDESCREEN (1.78:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Behind the scenes, Documentary, Interactive Menu, Photo Gallery, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: The Gruffalo's Child, another magical tale from best selling author Julia Donaldsonand illustrator Axel Scheffler, will premier on BBC One as a highlight of their Christmas schedule this year. It's some years later and The Gruffalo now has a daughter. Curious about her father's fantastic stories of a Big Bad Mouse in the deep, dark woods, she sets out one snowy night on a thrilling journey of discovery. Produced by Magic Light Pictures, a half hour animated film from the same team behind the hugely successful The Gruffalo. ...The Gruffalo's Child (2011)

Product Details

A charming animated treat, based on the much-loved character dreamed up by Julia Donaldson, The Gruffalo’s Child is the second time her creation has been brought to the screen. From a narrative standpoint, though, it’s pretty much a standalone story, with no foreknowledge required, that you get here.

The story picks up a few years after the previous adventure, The Gruffalo, and as the title suggests, things have moved on. For The Gruffalo now has a daughter, and this time, it’s she who heads off on a whole new adventure, albeit one very much in keeping with the style and energy of the first.

Delightfully animated, with a real sense of detail, and with a strong voice cast featuring the likes of Helena Bonham-Carter, Tom Wilkinson and John Hurt, The Gruffalo’s Child is a wonderful family treat. It’s rare to find a production that can appeal to different generations so effortlessly, but this might be it. Funny, exciting, and not outstaying its welcome, what’s particularly impressive is how closely it retains the feel, warmth and look of the source material, too.

Its core audience will remain the young, as you might expect, but the wise casting, and the production values, are just a few of the reasons why the proverbial children of all ages might appreciate it, too. As good as The Gruffalo? Perhaps not. But The Gruffalo’s Child runs things close, and is set to be enjoyed time and time again. --Jon Foster